Netflix’s first upfront-style event in Australia didn’t reveal any new commissions, but it did make some casting announcements and served as a de facto introduction to the streamer’s new local content team.
Next on Netflix, the show, hosted by writer, comedian and critic Alexei Triopoulos, was held in Alexandria, Sydney and featured ‘Room Only’ first look clips from ANZ’s 2026 slate, which includes series My Brilliant Career and feature film Allen, trailers for the third and final season of Heartbreak High, and behind-the-scenes footage of Breakers.
In addition to local originals, the company also focused on international Netflix projects produced in Australia and New Zealand, such as Apex. Photographed at Mosquito Bowl in the Blue Mountains. A Victorian War Machine photographed in Queensland. Photographed in New Zealand, East of Eden. and Wonka: The Golden Ticket, an unscripted competition series filmed on the Gold Coast. Australian-produced animation projects include Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, brought to life by Flying Bark, and Steps, animated by Sydney’s Netflix Animation Studios (formerly Animal Logic).
Speaking on stage was Netflix ANZ’s newly appointed Content Director, ex-Stan Amanda Duthie, who has been in the role for just over three months, as was new Content Manager Catherine Slattery. The team also welcomes new Content Coordinator Emily O’Connell.
Speaking to IF ahead of the event, Dassey said it was exciting for the team to have already had so many meetings and heard about so many projects in such a short space of time, and said today’s showcase was an opportunity to recognize “amazing collaborators” from companies such as Ludo Studio, Jungle Entertainment and Fremantle.
“On the 2026 schedule, Netflix will have new partners, creative collaborators. Obviously, that’s something we’re very passionate about, expanding the range of collaborators we’re commissioning as we move forward,” she said.
Netflix is currently producing surfing drama Breakers in Western Australia, and today announced that Canadian Di Pharaoh Una Tai and Australians Oliver Edith and Annabelle Woolf will join Antony Starr in the main cast. The series, produced by BBC Studios’ Clerkenwell Films, which also produced Baby Reindeer, follows two best friends who backpack from America to Australia and quickly find themselves drawn into a seemingly perfect community of surfers led by a charismatic but mysterious figure. The series also stars Asher Jasvinsek, David Howell, Tyroh Muhafiddin, Tom Dawson, Shelley-Lee Watson, Lou Miller, Eliza Learmonth, and Brody Townsend.
The cast of “The Breakers”. From top to bottom: LR: Asher Jasvinsek, Sherry-Lee Watson, Lou Miller, Brody Townsend, Tyroh Muhafiddin, Anthony Starr, David Howell, Defarao Unatai, Tom Dawson, Annabelle Wolfe, Oliver Edith, Eliza Learmonth.
TJ Power was announced today to star in Allen, the first live-action feature film from Ludo Studio, the production company behind Bluey. Much of the film, directed by Daly Pearson and Geoffrey Walker, remains under wraps, including plot details, which were originally described as “a heartwarming story of friendship and adventure set in the backdrop of a Queensland coastal town.” A new teasing synopsis suggests, “Twenty years after Petey lost his best friend ever, Allen returns…” Power is the only cast member officially announced so far.
On stage, Pearson described Allen as a personal but hopeful and funny film about childhood loss, based on his own personal experiences.
Duthie said the film is a “fresh and exciting look at what it means to grow up,” noting that many details are being kept under wraps until closer to release. She said the film will not be released in theaters and will be released straight to Netflix.
“My glorious career.”
Judging by the soundtrack of the “My Brilliant Career” clip, the series produced by Jungle Entertainment appears to be a modern take on the Miles Franklin novel. Filmed in South Australia and written and developed by Liz Dolan, the series stars Philippa Northeast and Christopher Chan as a new generation of Sybilla and Harry.
On stage, executive producer Chloe Rickard said the show was “as relevant now as it was when it first premiered” and she couldn’t wait for the original Australian story to reach a global audience.
The final season of International Emmy Award-winning Heartbreak High premiered on Netflix on March 25, with Fremantle-based executive producer Carly Heaton telling the audience to give the characters “the sendoff they deserve.”
“In Season 1, we explored friendship and consent. In Season 2, we explored masculinity. In Season 3, the cast is in that liminal space between childhood and adulthood, so[it’s]about responsibility and consequences, how to come into yourself and find your values and what that means to go out into the world,” Heaton said.
Highlighting Netflix’s international projects produced in Australia, Mr Dassey emphasized how valuable it is for both Australia and New Zealand to attract international productions.
“We have an incredibly healthy and symbiotic pipeline of content, working with some of the best staff, HODs and actors in the world. Why can’t we contribute to the employment and skills growth that our various projects bring to them?”
‘War Machine’ is currently in roadshows and will be available on Netflix on March 6th, while ‘Apex’ will premiere on April 23rd.
